Brewers chat with Tom Haudricourt

Tuesday, June 27 transcript

You don't think they've been getting it? I do. Lots of national folks have checked in on the club this year.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:26:04 PM

How do you think Hiura/Diaz situation plays out? It seems their timelines will be pretty close to each other.

by Jason6/27/2017 5:26:16 PM

That will be very interesting to see. They play the same position and both are considered offensive players. Obviously, only one player can play 2B at a time. The Brewers consider this a good problem because you can always deal prospects for needed positions.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:27:11 PM

Is Guerra under the Brewers control beyond 2017?

by troy6/27/2017 5:27:55 PM

Yes, he cannot be a free agent for four more years. Was a 31-year-old rookie last year.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:28:50 PM

With the trade deadline coming up. Where do u think they could improve their team? Bullpen ?? Dosent really look they r goona change much offensively as we r set on first, shortstop, third base, center field, right field and we have sogard at second who has been doing pretty good and then Braun in right w/ others like hernan there when he is injured. Manny has been pretty good too and now Vogt coming over so dosent really seem they r gonna change offensively

by Omi6/27/2017 5:29:06 PM

I certainly wouldn't expect a trade for a position player. As you noted, the Brewers have good players at every spot and more depth in system. Any pickups would be for pitching. Relievers always are at a premium at the trade deadline, either coming or going.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:29:57 PM

Will the Brewers ever have an ace? They had Greinke and he was excellent but they used his salary on Lohse and Garza - bad move. Can a team be a perennial contender without an ace?

by Clayton Kershaw6/27/2017 5:30:16 PM

The Brewers didn't use Greinke's salary on anyone. They offered as much as they could afford -- more than $100 M -- but he got much more on the free agent market. And, yes, I expect an ace to come around, either from the system or a trade if they get one pitcher away.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:31:11 PM

Pitching costs money. Why don't the Brewers realize this and increase their payroll and have top flight pitching?

by Clayton Kershaw6/27/2017 5:31:23 PM

A team's revenue determines a team's payroll, unless a rich owner dips into his own pockets (as Ilitch often did in Detroit). You do what you can afford.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:31:58 PM

Is Braun the only trade chip we have then? We haven't had him for a month and we are still in 1st place.

by Lance6/27/2017 5:32:17 PM

Brewers have more trade chips than Braun. It just depends who they feel comfortable moving, particularly if they remain in the playoff race. Any trade possibility always is contingent on what is offered from the other end.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:33:09 PM

read an interesting article that stated Keon Broxton has allowed more runs defensively than he has saved. for someone who is talked about as a solid defender this seemed surprising. what kind of defender would you describe Keon as?

by Austin6/27/2017 5:33:41 PM

As with most inexperienced players, Broxton has his ups and downs. But he has the physical skills to be a plus defender. The more games he gets under his belt, it's likely we'll see more of the gems.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:34:30 PM

How much money did Villar pass on? That has got to smart, at this point.

by troy6/27/2017 5:34:37 PM

The report we heard was around $20 million was floated by the club. The Brewers never confirmed it.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:35:00 PM

Prospects have way more value when they are more of an unknown. When do you think the Brewers start exchanging some of the outfielders for other positions?

by Jason6/27/2017 5:35:13 PM

That would be determined about what is offered for any of them. The offer on the other end always determines whether you pull the trigger on a trade. You have to be tempted.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:35:45 PM

If this team is still in/near 1st place at 3-4 games over .500 in a month, do you think they'll be buyers, sellers, or just stay pat?

by danport6/27/2017 5:35:54 PM

Any of those three is possible. This administration as proven to be aggressive in procuring talent, and I'm guessing that won't change. They always take both a short-term and long-term look at things.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:36:43 PM

If you had to guess, would you peg the Brewers as being over/under 85 wins considering how they've started? I'm tempted to think over

by Pete6/27/2017 5:36:54 PM

Well, if they played .500 ball the rest of the way, they'd be four over .500, right? Do you think they're capable of breaking even the rest of the way?

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:37:47 PM

Who loses PAs when Braun returns? Santana, Broxton and Thames have all played very well.

by Scott6/27/2017 5:38:31 PM

If you have Braun in LF, Broxton in CF, Santana in RF and Thames at 1B, none of the players you mentioned would lose playing time.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:39:11 PM

With the Triple-A affiliation change in 2019 from Colorado Springs to San Antonio, do you see the Brewers possibly trying to renegotiate with Nashville, or maybe look at the International League if a PDC spot opens in that league?

by Chris6/27/2017 5:39:21 PM

The Brewers would look at any available options. They had to go to Colorado Springs because there were no other options. They might have no other option in 2019 than Fresno. But there's no way to know at this exactly what options might be available.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:40:14 PM

With Corbin Burnes tearing up the minors, do you see him possibly making it to AAA after being drafted only 1 year ago?

by Kevo356/27/2017 5:40:35 PM

That would be aggressive. It also would depend on need in AAA. But he certainly is moving up the ladder speedily at this point.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:41:04 PM

Is it worth trying to trade Garza at the deadline or do we just ride him out through the end of the year and let him walk away?

by Greg6/27/2017 5:41:36 PM

That would depend on any offers the Brewers get for Garza. You can't trade a player without a willing party on the other end. If there is a chance to be moved to another contender, the Brewers always do their due diligence.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:42:31 PM

Travis Shaw has been an absolute steal from the Red Sox. Has he hit his ceiling or can we see even more from him?

by Lance6/27/2017 5:42:41 PM

Don't have a crystal ball. But he is only 27 and certainly seems comfortable with the Brewers. He has been by far their most consistent offensive performer. Counsell called him "a rock" in the lineup.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:43:48 PM

Does Doug Melvin still have an active role in team management?

by Gary from West Allis6/27/2017 5:43:50 PM

Doug Melvin still serves as an advisor to David Stearns. He has been used primarily in talent evaluation, including the Brewers' farm system.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:44:22 PM

How are the players the Brewers traded last year doing? Lucroy, Parra, Gomez, Fiers, Jeffries, the guy that tore his knee putting on his shoe?

by troy6/27/2017 5:44:47 PM

Sounds like something you could learn by checking box scores or statistical sites. As for Will Smith, he underwent Tommy John surgery in the spring and is out all season.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:45:39 PM

Do you think Corbin Burnes stays as a starter?

by Diddly336/27/2017 5:45:57 PM

Yes. When you pitch like this, your role seldom is changed.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:46:17 PM

Tom, history suggests that when a guy outperforms a significant history, its unlikely to be repeated (think Villar, Jonathan or Marinez, etc.). In a rebuild, don't you have to move guys like Anderson when their value is highest? If he comes back in 2018 and puts up a 4.50 ERA, the Brewers will have missed an opportunity. Guerra also falls into that category. Prospects should be 22/45, not 30/31.

by Eddie6/27/2017 5:46:25 PM

Again, these decisions are made by what is offered from the other end. If you are offered something you can't refuse, you make the trade. Otherwise, you keep the player, if he is performing well.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:47:15 PM

Read this great article on Eric Sogard today. Any chance we keep him?

by Lance6/27/2017 5:48:19 PM

That would depend on how he does the rest of the way and how the team does. Beyond this year, it's difficult to say. Looks like he'll have enough service time to be a FA after the season.

by Tom Haudricourt6/27/2017 5:50:08 PM

Hey Tom, long time reader, first time chatter. Better mustache: Doug Jones or Rollie Fingers?

by Roy Hobbs6/27/2017 5:50:15 PM

Rollie Fingers has been rocking the handlebar mustache forever. Hard to vote against that.